Switching device



Nov. z3 192e. 1,607,910

H. W. ONEILL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1921 2; F44/ 594 2f, a

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l 1.33 y 32g W f Mm Q f7; 7 Y 5 lA 38) 44,: r I .ai l if i I I 4 40 5@ Mf "w i 6 B /m/n/o/j: Henry A121/ 0/1/e/// Y contact lating discs 24, 24 tightly fit so as to prevent contacting of the inner end of the terminals 22, 22 with the bottom of the cavities.

When the reed is at rest the action of gravity holds the member 23 in the posit-ion shown in F ig. 4 and since the contacts 30, 30 are closed, the terminals 22, 22 are electrically continuous. Then the reed is vibrated at a. certain predetermined rate and the stops 25, are set so as to destroy the free movement of the reed. the contacts will be violently agitated and the electrical continuity of the terminals 22, 22 will be broken. The stops 25, 25 insure jostling of the loose member 23 and .therefore insure opening of the circuit including the termi nals 22, 22.

The stops Y25, 25 also perform an important function in providing mechanical damping means for the reed. lt has been found that by having the tips of the stops 25. 25 of resilient material. good damping results are obtained by adjusting the stops to engage the reed at certain points during its vibration. By this means a plurality of coexistent vibrations are set up relative to the free vibration rate of the reed. lf an unyielding tip, as a pointed metal screw, is employed as a stop, and is adjusted to lightly touch the reed, or to make engagement with it when the reed is moved from its normal position of rest in response to the driving current, the stop would have the effect of imparting short, staccatic blows to the ree l. These sharp blows on the reed will tend to set up harmonic vibrations of maximum amplitude which will substantially predominate the. vibrations corresponding` with the free period of the reed.

Fig. 3 shows a device similar to the one in Fig. 1 except that the stops 25, 25 are located near the end of the reed.

Fig. 5 shows schematically an arrangement in which the device of the invention is useful. By means of a switch 35 and impulse sender or dial S, interrupted alternating current from a source 36 may be applied to the windings 14, 14 of the switching device. Connected to the leadingdn terminals of the receptacle 21 there is a battery B and a relay R so that .current normally flows through the contacts 30, and the relay R is normally energized. Vhen the sender S and the switch are actuated to transmit a number of impulses of alterna-ting current over the conductors 38 of the first circuit, the reed 17 will be vibrated during the closure of contacts of the sender S causing the loose contact member 23 to be agitated, the contacts 30, 30 to be opened, and relay R to be deenergized. Each time the contacts 4Q of the sender S are opened during a series of impulses the reed and consequently the loose member 23 will come to rest resultingl in the closure of the local circuit and the energization of relay R. The relay R may control any suitable device and will be energized and deenergized in accordance with the number and duration of the impulses transn'iittcd by the sender S.

ln Fig. 6 a modification of Fig. 5 is shown, the modification consisting of.' having a source of alternating current 43 normally connected to the conductors 33 so that the reed 17 is constantly vibrating. It has been found that by choosing a certain frequency for the source 43.y the contacts 30, 30 will not be openerL during the vibration of the reed in response to the application of such frequency to the coils 14, 14. For the purpose actuating the contacts circuit controller the sender S and a switch 35 are employed to superimpose current from a second source 36 having` a frequency differing from that of the source 43. By superimposingthe current from the'source 36 upon the current from the source it has been found that the contacts 30, 30 of the circuit controller will be actuated in accordance with the impulses transmitted by the s nder S. Ordinarily the frequency of the source would be lower than the frequency of the soin'ce 36. Choke coils are therefore employed to direct the current 'from the source 36 through the coils 14. 14.

Fig. 7 shows a modification ofthe arrangement in Fig. 6, the modilication consisting of providing separate windings for the two frequencies. Current from the source 43 is normally connected to the inner windings 44, 44 on the cores 13, 13 and current from the source 36 may be interruptedly applied to the outer windings 41, 41 of the cores 13 by means of the sender S and the switch 35.

lll/lith the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 it is to be understood that mechanical stops as shown in Figs, 1 or 3 may be employed for certain frequencies and may be dispensed with for other frequencies. lVit-h the ar rangements shown in Figs. 6 and 7 effects similar to the effects produced by the mechanical stops shown in Figs. 1 and 3 are produced electrically. In Figs. 6 and 7 the continuous vibration of the reed by current from the local source 43 renders the contacts 30, 30 more readily responsive to smaller or more attenuated current from the distant source 36.

rlhe glass receptacle which contains the loose contact member may be simply sealed or it may be evacuated or it may contain a gas as desired. In either case oxidation of the contacts is prevented by enclosing them in the receptacle.

Vilhat is claimed is:

1. ln an alternating current relay, in c0mbination, a tuned reed armature, a fi ed circuit terminal mounted on and movab e with the free end of said armature, a second fixed circuit terminal and an elongated loose metallic member normally supported at each of its ends by one ot said terminals and providing an electrical connection between said terminals, and electromagnetic means for vibrating said armature to agitate said loose member.

2. In an alterna-ting' current circuit, in combination, a tuned reed armature, a light weight vibrating switch mechanism mounted on and movable with said armature, said mechanism comprising a pair of fixed contact points and a loose member havinga pair or' electrically connected contacts at each end thereof so arranged as to normally engage and electrically connect said fixed contact points when said armature is at rest, and means 'for vibrating said armature through an an'iplitude suliicient to open said connection between the fixed contact points.

3. In an alternating current relay, in combination, a tuned reed armature, a sealed receptacle mounted on, and movable with, said member, a loose vibrating switch contained in said receptacle comprising a pair of fixed circuit terminals and a loose contactl member normally resting on and electrically connecting said terminals when said armature is at rest, and an electromagnet for vibrating said armature, whereby said -electrical connection between the iixed terminals is rendered discontinuous.

4. In an alternating current relay, in combination, a reed armature tuned to vibrate at a desired frequency, a metallic lixed circuit terminal mounted on and movable with the free end of said armature, a second metallic Xed circuit terminal, a loose contact member normally resting on and electrically connecting said Xed terminals when said armature is at rest, said loose member having metallic contact surfaces where it enga-ges said iiXed terminals, and electromagnetic means for driving said armature to cause said loose member to break its contact with said liXed terminals while said armature is vibrating.

5. In an alternating current relay, in combination, a reed armature fixed at one end and tuned to a particular frequency, the free end of said armature being positioned between opposing pole pieces of a polarized electromagnet effective to vibrate said armature in response to electrical energy of a frequency corresponding to the particular period of said armature, a fixed circuit terminal mounted on and movable with the free end of said arma-ture, a second fixed circuit terminal, a loose contact member normally resting on and electrically connecting said circuit terminals when said armature is at restand out of contact with said terminals when said armature is vibrating.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 80th day of December A. D., 1921.V

HENRY W. ONEILL. 

